A Southwest boarding group (either A, B, or C) and position (1-60) will be assigned to you at check-in and it'll be printed on your boarding pass. Group A boards first, then group B, and afterwards group C. If you end up with A1, then it's your lucky day — you'll likely get to be the first passenger on the plane.

On Southwest Airlines, "Position 1" (specifically A1) is the most coveted spot in the boarding process, representing the very first person in the general queue permitted to board the aircraft. Because Southwest utilizes an "open seating" policy where there are no assigned seats, being in the A1 position effectively guarantees that you will have your choice of any seat on the plane, including the highly desirable exit row or the very first row with extra legroom. This position is typically reserved for passengers who have purchased a Business Select fare, which is Southwest’s highest-tier ticket. If no Business Select tickets are sold for a flight, the airline may offer "Upgraded Boarding" at the gate for a fee (usually $30 to $80), allowing passengers to purchase any remaining spots in the A1–A15 range. Following the A1–A15 group, the boarding continues with A16–A60, then B, and finally C. Being at the front of the line also ensures you have plenty of overhead bin space for your carry-on luggage before the rest of the 140+ passengers begin to board and fill up the storage areas.